fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

often attributive

1

: a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1)

a bird feeding her fledglings

2

: an immature or inexperienced person

fledgling medical students

3

: one that is new

a fledgling company

Synonyms of fledgling

• novice
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice
• freshman
• rookie

Examples of fledgling in a Sentence

a female bird feeding her fledglings

at hockey he's still a fledgling and needs to work on his basic skating skills

Recent Examples on the Web

The fledgling storm is being affected by shearing winds expected to prevent it from building into the kind of hurricane that can sometimes quickly develop in the Gulf just offshore. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 July 2026

The episode’s break from format puts the audience literally inside Lestat’s head as he’s confronted by his makers and his fledglings, with exception to Claudia. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Canha appeared in the fledgling show’s third episode — which aired on June 21. — Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

So in 2022, Gunn and Safran recruited King for their DC brain trust — a Justice League of writers helping plot the future of the fledgling universe. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged

2

: an immature or inexperienced person